Caribbean Week in New York will take place June 4-9, 2012, as a celebration of the sights, sounds, color and culture of the region.
Combined with meetings and seminars for ministers of tourism, directors of tourism, national tourist office representatives and other key tourism and hospitality officials from the around the Caribbean, the week of activities, organized by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO), will also promote unique vacation experiences to consumers at a day-long event at New York's celebrated Grand Central Terminal as well as stage the annual Media Marketplace, which draws travel writers from across North America.
The week-long agenda of activities include:
Workshop for NTOs -- Monday, June 4, 2012 – 9 a.m. to noon
Workshops for National Tourist Office (NTO) representatives offer participants an opportunity to increase their knowledge in a particular field related to their profession.
The theme of this workshop is "Crisis Communications: How to Look and Communicate like a Pro during a Crisis" and will be conducted by Johnson JohnRose, CTO communications specialist; and Wanda Fisher, president of Skycue Marketing, brand communications specialist and TV producer.
This workshop is complimentary for up to two representatives from each member country and is $75 for each additional.
Workshop for Travel Agents -- Monday, June 4, 2012 – 6 – 9 p.m.
Sports tourism, one of the world's fastest growing niche markets in the tourism industry, is the focus of this workshop. It is a multi-billion dollar industry that represents a unique opportunity for agents. Sports Tourism refers to trips taken with the purpose of watching or participating in sporting events.
This workshop themed "Be Fast or Be Last" is designed to help agents understand the relationship between sports and tourism - how to identify sports enthusiasts, how to capture their attention and match them with the sporting activity in which they wish to participate or enjoy, and then close the sale. Agents will also learn from the NTO representatives what the destinations are doing to facilitate this niche and to attract visitors. The workshop will be limited to 100 top producing travel agents.
Celebrity Chef Program -- Monday, June 4 to Friday, June 8, 2012
Renowned Caribbean chefs representing a variety of destinations from hotels and restaurants across the Caribbean will spice up the city with Caribbean flair and flavors. These celebrity chefs will prepare signature island dishes at prestigious locations throughout New York City giving potential visitors a taste of the Caribbean.
Throughout the week, these highly acclaimed chefs will be on hand at various events to interact with the general public and media as they showcase their culinary skills. In previous years, events at Macy's, Bloomingdale's and William Sonoma stores have showcased Caribbean celebrity chefs throughout the week.
Student Colloquium -- Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - 2:30- 4:30 p.m.
Students will take center stage at "A forum for Rising Stars." Sustainability has been hailed as the appropriate use of resources today so that future generations may enjoy them. The aim of sustainable tourism is to ensure that development is a positive experience for local people, tourism companies and visitors.
At college and university campuses in the Caribbean and the United States, students are deeply interested in sustainable initiatives and want to be involved in their implementation. The Colloquium is a creation of CTO interns who were enrolled at universities in the Caribbean and the United States as their contribution to the calendar for Caribbean Week. It challenges students studying at the tertiary level to research and present a sustainable tourism project that is practical and could provide a sustainable source of income for Caribbean nationals.
Caribbean Diaspora Forum -- Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - 5- 6:30 p.m.
In this forum, visiting Caribbean tourism officials and policy-makers will discuss matters of mutual interest with the Diaspora. The CTO will also provide an update on its Rediscover Home program, an initiative aimed at strengthening the relationship between the Caribbean Diaspora and the region.
The forum will be immediately followed by Caribbean Tales film presentations and discussions. The audience will comprise a cross-section of Caribbean nationals and friends of the Caribbean, including young adults keen on entering the tourism profession.
Investment Power Forum -- Wednesday, June 6, 2012 - 7:30- 10 a.m.
Join the Caribbean Tourism Organization and Hard Beat Communications at the second Investment Power Forum on the Caribbean featuring: Francisco J. Sanchez, undersecretary of commerce for international trade; Jay Neo, president and co-founder of Solamon Energy Corp., Jonathan S. Blue, chairman and managing director of Blue Equity, LLC.; and Lisa Lake, head of Branson Centre of Entrepreneurship, Caribbean. W. Dave Dowrich, vice president of Goldman Sachs & Co., will be the moderator.
Caribbean Travel & Cultural Fair, Wedding and Vacation Mart at Grand Central Terminal, Wednesday, June 6, 2012 - 10 a.mm - 7 p.m.
The Caribbean Travel and Cultural Fair is one of the not-to-be missed events during Caribbean Week in New York. It will bring the color, spirit and vitality of Caribbean culture to life for thousands of consumers many of whom commute through New York City's iconic Grand Central Terminal which will be celebrating its 100th Anniversary next year.
Tabletop booths manned by CTO member countries, private sector tourism partners and Caribbean Diaspora groups display promotional materials, indigenous products and other items representative of the Caribbean.
The Caribbean Vacation Mart at the Fair will be one of the main opportunities during Caribbean Week in New York for potential visitors to the region to purchase special vacation offerings from tour operators, agents and hoteliers who have created these specials with them in mind.
Caribbean Media Marketplace -- Thursday, June 7, 2012 4- 6 p.m.
The Caribbean Media Marketplace, another not-to-be missed annual event during Caribbean Week in New York attracts a wide range of travel media from television, radio and print media from across North America. This event provides CTO member Governments and private sector exhibitors with the opportunity to interact with writers from the trade and consumer press.
Allied Marketing Conference and Awards Luncheon -- Friday, June 8, 2012 - 8 a.m - 2:30 p.m.
Now in its 18th year, this year's conference themed "THE ULTIMATE CHALLENGE - Increasing Your Return on Investment" will deliver cutting edge information from a roster of experts. Content of the topics to be explored at the conference will be of value to all marketers of Caribbean tourism and will cover Global Market Expansion & How to Profit; Social Media: Impact, Implications & Opportunity; Luxury Market: From Perception to Reality and Public Relations & Its Role in a Splintered Market.
Rum and Rhythm Benefit -- Friday, June 8, 2012 - 6:30- 10:30 p.m.
Rum and Rhythm is both a fundraiser for the CTO Foundation, a charitable organization which provides scholarships to Caribbean nationals. and a Caribbean culinary experience that enables consumers to mix with tourism Ministers, Directors and other officials, and savor the taste, spirit and sounds of the Caribbean.
This signature event will take guests on an enchanting journey that will encapsulate the vibrant cultures, eclectic cuisines, pulsating rhythms and quintessential experiences that may be enjoyed in the Caribbean.
Guests will be exposed to the varied award-winning rums of the Caribbean as well as the talents and artistic flair of some of the Caribbean's celebrity musicians, chefs and mixologists at the exclusive and very trendy Tribeca 360.
This evening promises to be the highlight of the Caribbean Week social calendar and will include a live auction and special appearances by top Caribbean personalities and celebrities. Limited tickets are available and must be purchased by May 20.
Caribbean Fashion, Art and Trade Expo -- Saturday, June 9, 2012 - 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Caribbean Fashion, Trade & Arts Expo 2012 was created to provide a platform for Caribbean designers, models, artists and other creative minds to cross borders into the U.S. international market, to showcase their talents and brands for business opportunities.
The event commences with a trade and fashion exhibition. The fashion show begins at 5 p.m. Part of the proceeds of this event benefits the CTO Foundation.
Visit www.CaribbeanWeekNY.com.